The Best Multiple Choice Guide .

Analytical Focus.

Rhetoric:

Most of the questions on the test, test your ability to understand how language works in each passage. These questions ask you to analyze the syntax, diction, point of view, and figurative language. You must be able to understand precisely how and why the devices are used in the passage or poem.

question type may be worded:

*The shift in point of view has the effect of . . .
*The syntax of lines _____ to _____ serves to . . .
*The second sentence is unified by metaphorical references to . . .
*As lines _____ and _____ are constructed, "_____" is parallel to which of the following?
*
Author's Meaning and Purpose:

These questions measure your ability to interpret the author's theme, meaning, or purpose. The questions are closely tied to specific word choices and you have too determine why the author chooses the wording, not what effect it produces. These questions demonstrate the understanding of the author's thematic reason for choosing certain phrases.

question type may be worded:

*Which of the following best identifies the meaning of "_____"?
*Which of the following best describes the author's purpose in the last sentence?
*The author emphasizes "_____" in order to . . .
*The sympathy referred to in line _____ is called "_____" because it . . .


The Main Idea

These questions also appear quite frequently; they test your understanding of the author's ideas, attitude, and tone.

questions may be worded:

*The theme of the second paragraph is . . .
*The speaker's attitude is best described as one of . . .
*In context, the sentence "_____" is best interpreted as which of the following?

Organization and Structure

These questions test your ability to perceive how the passage is organized. For example, you need to know if the passage follows a compare/contrast structure or if it gives a definition followed by examples. You need to understand how the structure of the passage works. For example, you must know how one paragraph relates to another paragraph or how a single sentence works within a paragraph.

Here are some of the ways this question type may be worded:

*The quotation "_____" signals a shift from . . .
*The speaker's mention of "_____" is appropriate to the development of her argument by . . .
*The type of argument employed by the author is most similar to which of the following?
*The relationship between _____ and _____ is explained primarily by the use of which of the following?

Rhetorical Modes

You should expect only a few questions of this type on the test. These questions ask you to identify and recognize the various rhetorical modes that authors use. You must know the difference between narration, description, argumentation, and exposition.

questions may be worded:

*The pattern of exposition exemplified in the passage can best be described as .
*The author's use of description is appropriate because . . .


Thematic Focus

1. Mark Up The Book!

The best part about this test is that it’s free! But just because it’s free doesn’t mean you don’t share the same privileges as someone who has paid for the test. SO MARK UP THE BOOKLET! For each question, summarize right next to it what the question is asking. Help yourself out by making the question a lot friendlier for yourself. Now, not that you should be spending so much time writing about the question because the point is to answer it. But also mark up the text. You should know what to mark up because you will. .

2. Read The Multiple Choice Questions Before The Text.

The best part about the multiple choice questions is that for the most part, the answers are right in the text . . . so use this advantage! Seeing how the text should be all marked up (if you follow step number one), then it shouldn’t be so hard to locate the answer. Use the directed line numbers, use your annotations, use the way the text moves, etc.

3. Remember: All Questions Are Worth The Same Amount Of Points!

All questions are worth the same amount of points – stop spending time on the hard ones. Do the easy questions first so you can stack up on points. If you can’t reduce your choices on a hard multiple choice question, then leave it alone. Because four wrong question deducts a point from your total right answers.

4. Process of Elimination!

When you don’t seem to have a clue, try process of elimination. Something HAS to be wrong. But if you’re stuck on a question, it must be hard one – so skip it and proceed! Do not be prideful, let the easy ones get you that 5!

5. Tips for each type of text:

a. Poem – Using the example in number three (flow/shift of the poem), if the poem starts ebulliently but ends sourly, then try using the question to figure out during which mood it takes place.

b. Passage – Make yourself interested in the passage, that way it’s easier to read.